Harmful Air Pollutants Research Articles

Exposure to household air pollution and childhood multimorbidity risk in Jimma, Ethiopia

BackgroundChildhood multimorbidity, characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of multiple medical conditions in children, is a global concern. Notably, exposure to household air pollution has been linked to various health issues, particularly affecting vulnerable segments of the population residing in poorly ventilated homes. However, evidence regarding the impact of household air pollution on the risk of multimorbidity in low-income settings remains scarce. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between household air pollution and childhood multimorbidity in Jimma, Ethiopia.MethodsA comparative cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from 280 children under the age of five who lived in households using solid fuel (n = 140) and clean fuel (n = 140). The Demographic Health Survey morbidity questionnaire was used to collect information from mothers about common childhood illnesses. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to explore the relationship between the use of solid fuel for cooking in households and the likelihood of childhood multimorbidity. In addition, Poisson regression estimation was used to determine if exposure to solid fuel could increase the number of morbidities.ResultsThe overall prevalence of childhood multimorbidity was 34.3% [95% CI: 0.29–0.40]. Among these cases, 23.9% were among children from solid fuel user households, whereas about 10.4% were from clean fuel user households. Adjusted for all possible socioeconomic, demographic, water, sanitation, hygiene, and health care covariates, children living in solid fuel user households had more than three times the odds of childhood multimorbidity compared to children living in clean fuel user households (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI [1.42–6.95], p < 0.001). Moreover, household air pollution from solid fuel use was positively associated with an increased number of individual morbidity conditions, with an adjusted β coefficient of 0.46 (IRR = 1.58, 95% CI [1.17–2.13], p = 0.003).ConclusionSolid fuel use was an independent predictor of childhood morbidity risk. Efficient policies and strategies, such as the integration of environmental regulation policies into the healthcare system aimed at the reduction of harmful air pollutants and their adverse health effects on children, need to be implemented.

Poultry farms as a One health priority for Aspergillus section Fumigati surveillance

Abstract In poultry production environments, particulate matter (PM) is considered one of the harmful air pollutants [2]. Considering potential biological pathogens, the genus Aspergillus in particular, Aspergillus fumigatus, is a widely recognized human and animal pathogen [3]. Hot-humid farm environments could contribute to the proliferation of these fungi [4]. Therefore, poultry production workers, besides animals [4], may be at a higher risk of inhaling fungi spores [4,5]. This study aimed to determine particulate matter (PM) contamination and analyze the prevalence of Aspergillus section Fumigati in air samples from poultry pavilions. Indoor and outdoor air samples were taken in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks of birds growth cycle (n = 58). Air was collected through the impaction method (MAS-100) onto polycarbonate filters, set at 100 L/min, for 5 min. Followed by DNA extraction, and real-time PCR detection of Aspergillus section Fumigati. For PM evaluation, portable direct-reading equipment (Lighthouse, model 3016 IAQ) was used. Particle concentrations were measured (n = 67) at five distinct fractions during 5 min. Considering particles fractions, PM10 and PM5 where prevalent in 1st (58% PM10; 28% PM5), 2nd (63% PM10; 26% PM5) and 3rd (64% PM10; 25% PM5) weeks. These results evidence that coarse particles (between 2.5 and 10 µm) are the most relevant PM present in this setting. Regarding fungal detection, Aspergillus section Fumigati was widespread inside poultry pavilions (62%, 26 out of 42), highlighting this environment has a potential reservoir of microbial pathogens [7]. Furthermore, PM can act as a host of biological fragments [6]. Overall, in addition to molecular analysis, future studies should consider using culture-based methods to assess the viability of pathogenic microorganisms and their infection potential [3]. From a One Health perspective, quantitative and qualitative research is required to fully understand this environment. Key messages • This study evidence that coarse particles (between 2.5 and 10 µm) are the most relevant PM present and Aspergillus section Fumigati is widespread in poultry pavilions. • A One health intervention should be considered in future studies.

Modeling nonstationary surface‐level ozone extremes through the lens of US air quality standards: A Bayesian hierarchical approach

AbstractSurface‐level ozone (O) is a harmful air pollutant whose effects may be more deleterious when at its most extreme levels. Current US air quality standards are written in terms of the 3‐year average of the 4th highest annual daily maximum 8‐h O values; therefore, developing approaches based on extreme value theory may be useful. We develop a Bayesian hierarchical approach, where the ‐largest order statistics are parametrized by the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution, while a Gaussian process is employed to characterize how the GEV parameters depend on the O precursors, namely nitrous oxides (NO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The fitted model is then used to characterize the upper tail of the distribution of O and estimate O noncompliance probabilities. We illustrate the proposed method using data from an air quality station in Providence, Rhode Island (RI). The results suggest that the far upper tail of extreme O values is likely bounded, and the dependence of the upper tail distribution on NO and O is highly nonlinear, consistent with the known relationship, albeit not specifically for extreme values, in the existing scientific literature. A convolution‐based approach is used to estimate noncompliance probabilities for several covariate scenarios. Our results indicate that estimated noncompliance probabilities in recent years are much lower than in the mid‐1990s, primarily due to lower O precursor levels. However, the estimated noncompliance probabilities appear to rise sharply for hypothetical stricter O standards, even for the conditions observed in recent years.

Influence of Oil and Gas End-Use on Summertime Particulate Matter and Ozone Pollution in the Eastern US.

The influence of oil and gas end-use activities on ambient air quality is complex and understudied, particularly in regions where intensive end-use activities and large biogenic emissions of isoprene coincide. In these regions, vehicular emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx≡NO + NO2) modulate the oxidative fate of isoprene, a biogenic precursor of the harmful air pollutants ozone, formaldehyde, and particulate matter (PM2.5). Here, we investigate the direct and indirect influence of the end-use emissions on ambient air quality. To do so, we use the GEOS-Chem model with focus on the eastern United States (US) in summer. Regional mean end-use NOx of 1.4 ppb suppresses isoprene secondary organic aerosol (OA) formation by just 0.02 μg m-3 and enhances abundance of the carcinogen formaldehyde by 0.3 ppb. Formation of other reactive oxygenated volatile organic compounds is also enhanced, contributing to end-use maximum daily mean 8-h ozone (MDA8 O3) of 8 ppb. End-use PM2.5 is mostly (67%) anthropogenic OA, followed by 20% secondary inorganic sulfate, nitrate and ammonium and 11% black carbon. These adverse effects on eastern US summertime air quality suggest potential for severe air quality degradation in regions like the tropics with year-round biogenic emissions, growing oil and gas end-use and limited environmental regulation.

Enhanced VOCs adsorption on Group VIII transition metal-doped MoS2: A DFT study

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) represent a significant category of toxic and harmful air pollutants. Among the various abatement techniques available for VOCs, adsorption technology is widely recognized as a cost-effective solution. In this study, density functional theory (DFT) was employed to calculate and compare the adsorption capacities of six typical VOCs on pristine MoS2 and MoS2 modified with Group VIII (MVIII) transition metals atoms. It is found that MVIII-MoS2 monolayer demonstratesa significant enhancement in adsorption capabilities for VOCsrelative to pristine MoS2. Among these Group VIII transition metals atoms, Fe, Ru and Os atoms exhibited the most significant VOCs adsorption enhancement, with Fe atoms demonstrating a particularly pronounced effect. This suggests a synergistic interaction between the metal dopants and the substrate. Density of states (DOS) and charge density difference analyses provided further insights into the mechanisms underlying improved adsorption capability. Interestingly, the introduction of MVIII atoms results in the emergence of a novel state density within the surface state of MoS2, thereby facilitating enhanced electron transfer between VOCs and the substrate. Charge density difference calculations further corroborated these findings, with certain configurations exhibiting significant electron cloud overlap. Such modification leads to more active electron transfer, thereby increasing the substrate’s affinity for VOC molecules and consequently improving the adsorption efficiency. The findings not only enhance the comprehension of VOC adsorption mechanisms on MoS2 but also underscore the potential of metal-doped two-dimensional materials for environmental applications.

Particulate Matter and Its Molecular Effects on Skin: Implications for Various Skin Diseases.

Particulate matter (PM) is a harmful air pollutant composed of chemicals and metals which affects human health by penetrating both the respiratory system and skin, causing oxidative stress and inflammation. This review investigates the association between PM and skin disease, focusing on the underlying molecular mechanisms and specific disease pathways involved. Studies have shown that PM exposure is positively associated with skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and skin aging. PM-induced oxidative stress damages lipids, proteins, and DNA, impairing cellular functions and triggering inflammatory responses through pathways like aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), NF-κB, and MAPK. This leads to increased production of inflammatory cytokines and exacerbates skin conditions. PM exposure exacerbates AD by triggering inflammation and barrier disruption. It disrupts keratinocyte differentiation and increases pro-inflammatory cytokines in psoriasis. In acne, it increases sebum production and inflammatory biomarkers. It accelerates skin aging by degrading ECM proteins and increasing MMP-1 and COX2. In conclusion, PM compromises skin health by penetrating skin barriers, inducing oxidative stress and inflammation through mechanisms like ROS generation and activation of key pathways, leading to cellular damage, apoptosis, and autophagy. This highlights the need for protective measures and targeted treatments to mitigate PM-induced skin damage.

Farmer perspectives on crop residue burning and sociotechnical transition in Punjab, India

Burning rice stubble is a common practice for millions of farmers across the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Though burning represents a low input, cost-effective strategy of crop residue management (CRM), it produces harmful air pollution, and it releases greenhouse gasses. Large-scale transition to no-burn CRM in northwest India will require social and technological change. We analyze data from 60 focus group discussions and 24 interviews with farmers and key actors related to agriculture in Punjab, and we discuss our findings using a sociotechnical systems framework. Farmers and key informants alike illustrate the complexity of CRM, highlight the diversity of machinery used in rice-wheat cropping, and identify a multi-level and unequal policy landscape that constricts the time available to implement no-burn CRM between harvesting rice and sowing wheat crops. Farmer responses reveal mistrust and uncertainty regarding current incentives for no-burn CRM, including subsidies for purchasing no-burn CRM machinery and fines for burning. Nonetheless, farmers support new long-term price subsidies for alternate rice varieties, crops, and fuel. In addition to cost-reduction measures, farmers and key informants voice support for local demonstrations of no-burn CRM, promoting agricultural services through social organizations, and being free to choose how to best reduce or eliminate burning on their fields. In contrast to studies that consider individual farmers’ willingness to accept payment for reduced burning, our findings emphasize the importance of considering the political and technological aspects of CRM in Punjab. Respondents acknowledge the importance of improving individual incentives while working through local organizations to provide wider access to no-burn CRM technology and address information asymmetries.

High rates of hydrogen sulfide emissions measured from marginal oil wells near Austin and San Antonio, Texas

Marginal oil and gas wells, or wells that produce less than 15 barrels of oil equivalent per day, represent 80% of actively producing wells in the United States, although they produce less than 10% of energy supply. Marginal wells are a disproportionate source of methane (CH4) relative to their production, and they emit harmful air pollutants, such as benzene and other hydrocarbons found in oil and natural gas. We made direct measurements of CH4 and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions from 46 wellheads in the Luling Field, Caldwell County, Texas, just east of the Austin/San Antonio Metroplex. We found that these wells are venting natural gas and are a large source of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a poisonous air pollutant. Hydrogen sulfide emission rates ranged from 0 to 5 ± 0.5 g H2S hr−1 with an average emission rate of 1.6 ± 0.1 g H2S hr−1. We also found ambient concentrations of H2S at dangerous levels (>100 ppm) near many of the wells. Methane emission rates were in line with previous studies of marginal wells, ranging from 0.0 to 2770 ± 390 g CH4 hr−1, with a skewed distribution and average emission rate of 710 ± 100 g CH4 hr−1. Oil production records from Texas were incomplete: some wells had oil production data from the year of sampling, but many had no production data for several years or decades, although they were actively pumping while we were on site. Interviews with local residents indicate that the closing of the county gas processing plant and subsequent loss of gathering lines may be the cause of gas venting and CH4 and H2S emissions from production sites. This deserves further scrutiny, as marginal wells in this region are a major source of H2S, a health hazard to people living and working nearby.

Reduced mesophyll conductance under chronic O3 exposure in poplar reflects thicker cell walls and increased subcellular diffusion pathway lengths according to the anatomical model.

Ozone (O3) is one of the most harmful and widespread air pollutants, affecting crop yield and plant health worldwide. There is evidence that O3 reduces the major limiting factor of photosynthesis, namely CO2 mesophyll conductance (gm), but there is little quantitative information of O3-caused changes in key leaf anatomical traits and their impact on gm. We exposed two O3-responsive clones of the economically important tree species Populus × canadensis Moench to 120 ppb O3 for 21 days. An anatomical diffusion model within the leaf was used to analyse the entire CO2 diffusion pathway from substomatal cavities to carboxylation sites and determine the importance of each structural and subcellular component as a limiting factor. gm decreased substantially under O3 and was found to be the most important limitation of photosynthesis. This decrease was mostly driven by an increased cell wall thickness and length of subcellular diffusion pathway caused by altered interchloroplast spacing and chloroplast positioning. By contrast, the prominent leaf integrative trait leaf dry mass per area was neither affected nor related to gm under O3. The observed relationship between gm and anatomy, however, was clone-dependent, suggesting that mechanisms regulating gm may differ considerably between closely related plant lines. Our results confirm the need for further studies on factors constraining gm under stress conditions.

Distribution assessment and source apportionment of particulate bound-PAHs in indoor air of south Asian precinct using IDW and PMF receptor model: A comprehensivestudy

PAHs have been recognised as a major menace to living-beings as well as environment. Several researchers have extensively claimed regarding death-defying nature of PAHs and its derivatives. However, these studies have only considered the ambient air which is a composition of automobile exhausts, industrial emissions etc. as major source of harmful air pollutants. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an overlooked area since, although many researchers in recent times have been working on the chemistry and composition of IAQ, yet, source determination and nature of pollutants is still a comprehensive area to be explored. With the above stated objective, the present study emphases on 16 USEPA specified PAHs which are allied with particulate matter. Both PM as well as PAHs are some very common and treacherous chemical contaminant accountable for more than a million death globally. PAHs are organic compound which are either attached to PM of various sizes or can exist in gaseous form. Current work precises the concentration of PAHs associated with fine PM i.e., PM2.5 in indoor environment of south Asian precinct, further, using receptor modelling technique for determination indoor sources responsible for the emanation of specific PAHs. The toxicity equivalent quotient i.e., TEQ evaluated in the study demonstrations that the highest toxicity among all PAHs is exhibited by BaP followed by InP, BKF, BbF. Seasonal variations in the concentration of PAHs and their respective sources were also established using PMF models, which depicted the domination of 3-ring PAHs in winter with 42% contribution in outdoors, whereas, four-ring PAHs dominion in indoors. Similarly, in summer two-ring accounted for 35% in outdoors, and three-ring PAHs contributed highest with 26.8% in indoors. In monsoon PAHs with two-ring contributed highest with 45.2% in outdoors, whereas, 2-ring PAHs contributed 38.3% in indoors. Also, IDW mapping and molecular diagnostic ratio were assessed for an intense study on distribution of PAHs in the locality and the source apportionment purpose respectively. To the best of our knowledge, the study is first of its kind in this part of the world where, majority of the countries are either developing or under-developed and hence at greater risk to the noxious effects which are often overlooked. The study will provide a clear picture regarding the indoor sources of the PAHs and further help the further professionals to build a credible and pragmatic mitigation technique accordingly.

Assessing smog risk perception in Lahore metropolitan: A survey-based analysis

Smog is a mixture of harmful air pollutants that impact people's health. Risk perception pertains to how individuals or groups perceive and prepare for potential hazards like smog. This research quantifies smog risk perception in Lahore, focusing on three distinct areas: the city center, private housing schemes, and the peri-urban regions. The study employed a proportionate sampling method with a sample size of 600 households. Data was collected through face-to-face household interviews using a questionnaire survey. The risk perception index was constructed using the weighted average index method, incorporating various indicators. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were conducted to understand the differences in smog risk perception. The analysis revealed that smog risk perception was generally high in all communities. However, there were statistical differences among the selected areas. The high risk perception could influence individual behaviors by encouraging proactive measures for smog preparedness. The findings have implications for designing effective smog risk reduction strategies and risk communication.

Soil Moisture, Soil NOx and Regional Air Quality in the Agricultural Central United States

AbstractAgricultural soils containing nitrogen‐rich fertilizers are a substantial source of reactive nitrogen to the atmosphere with potential to impact air quality. One form of reactive nitrogen, nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2), are a harmful air pollutant and form secondary pollutants, including particulate matter (PM) and ozone (O3). Soil nitrogen oxide emissions (SNOx) are heavily influenced by environmental conditions, however the understanding of the influence of environmental drivers on the behavior of SNOx is limited. Here, we implement a modified soil moisture‐dependent SNOx parameterization into the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF‐Chem) and investigate the impact on regional air quality in the central U.S. Evaluating against TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) column NO2 observations, WRF‐Chem columns better capture the TROPOMI column magnitudes earlier in the growing season when using the updated SNOx parametrization, with modeled column bias improved to −1.1% over the most heavily fertilized regions. Evaluating against Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) surface NO2 observations, the relationship between surface NO2 and soil moisture is better represented in agriculturally‐dominant regions when using the updated parameterization, with greatest surface NO2 concentrations at moderate soil moisture and lower concentrations at wetter or drier soil conditions. In simulations, these SNOx lead to increased O3 in select urban regions, with more than double the occurrences of O3 exceeding the EPA 8‐hr O3 standard of 70 ppb.

Geographic sources of ozone air pollution and mortality burden in Europe

Ground-level ozone (O3) is a harmful air pollutant formed in the atmosphere by the interaction between sunlight and precursor gases. Exposure to current O3 levels in Europe is a major source of premature mortality from air pollution. However, mitigation actions have been mainly designed and implemented at the national and regional scales, lacking a comprehensive assessment of the geographic sources of O3 pollution and its associated health impacts. Here we quantify both national and imported contributions to O3 and their related mortality burden across 813 contiguous regions in 35 European countries, representing about 530 million people. Imported O3 contributed to 88.3% of all O3-attributable deaths (intercountry range 83–100%). The greatest share of imported O3 had its origins outside the study domain (that is, hemispheric sources), which was responsible for 56.7% of total O3-attributable mortality (range 42.5–87.2%). It was concluded that achieving the air-quality guidelines set out by the World Health Organization and avoiding the health impacts of O3 require not only the implementation of national or coordinated pan-European actions but also global strategies.

Daily Fine Resolution Estimates of the Influence of Wildfires on Fine Particulate Matter in California, 2011–2020

Worsening wildfire seasons in recent years are reversing decadal progress on the reduction of harmful air pollutants in the US, particularly in Western states. Measurements of the contributions of wildfire smoke to ambient air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), at fine resolution scales would be valuable to public health research on climate vulnerable populations and compound climate risks. We estimate the influence of wildfire smoke emissions on daily PM2.5 at fine-resolution, 3 km, for California 2011–2020, using a geostatistical modeled ambient PM2.5 estimate and wildfire smoke plume data from NOAA Hazard Mapping System. Additionally, we compare this product with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) daily and annual standards for PM2.5 exposure. Our results show wildfires significantly influence PM2.5 in California and nearly all exceedances of the daily US EPA PM2.5 standard were influenced by wildfire smoke, while annual exceedances were increasingly attributed to wildfire smoke influence in recent years. This wildfire-influenced PM2.5 product can be applied to public health research to better understand source-specific air pollution impacts and assess the combination of multiple climate hazard risks.

Sustainable farms from a biogenic CO2 source: The CO2 management pig slurry strategy

Pig farmhouses face unprecedented challenges in meeting the growing demand to feed an increasing population. To do so, these farms contribute significantly to the production of approximately 35 % of the world’s NH3 emissions, a highly harmful air pollutant. In response to this critical environmental issue, the CO2 Management Pig Slurry Strategy (CO2-MPS) proposes an innovative solution to mitigate NH3 emissions by leveraging the biogenic CO2 produced within pig farmhouses. This groundbreaking Carbon Dioxide Utilization (CDU) approach based on utilizing this biogenic CO2 to form a protective blanket over pig manure lagoons promises the reduction of over 8 million metric tons of NH3 emissions annually. Such NH3 emissions are well-documented initiators of Particulate Matter, particularly PM2.5, highlighting the potential positive impact on air quality of this strategy.

Assessing PM2.5 exposure bias towards deprived areas in England using a new indicator

In many countries higher concentrations of harmful air pollutants coincide with more deprived areas of society, where prevalence of health impacts associated with air pollution are greater. However, the impact of policies aimed at mitigating air pollution on the bias in exposure across deprivation groups rarely feature in policy development.We introduce the Indicator of Exposure Bias (IoEB) to the UK Integrated Assessment Model to quantify this bias, providing a method for comparing different scenarios and sectors. We analyse the bias in exposure to PM2.5 concentrations across deprivation levels within England currently and for future scenarios, and by sectors. While England's Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and the Health domain are used as measures of deprivation here, the indicator can be applied to any pair of spatial socio-economic status and environmental exposure metrics.An IoEB of 0.88 µg.m−3 was calculated for the 2018 baseline, indicating a bias in exposures towards more deprived areas ranked using the IMD. All future scenarios considered here lead to reductions in population exposure and a reduction in the bias towards more deprived areas, with the greatest reduction of 59 % achieved by focusing on urban sources of primary PM2.5. The total bias in exposure towards more deprived areas is mitigated by an opposite bias for the transboundary contribution, therefore the bias in exposure of total PM2.5 does not accurately reflect that associated to UK anthropogenic emissions. The bias varies significantly between sectors, with non-industrial combustion and road transport the greatest contributors.Reaching England's 2040 PM2.5 exposure target is likely to deliver substantially greater health benefits for the more deprived members of society than the less deprived, reducing health inequality. The bias is sensitive to the measure of deprivation used, demonstrated using the Health domain.

Peranan Sektor Pertambangan dalam Pembangunan Ekonomi Implikasinya pada Lingkungan

The region's mining industry is one endeavor aimed at enhancing economic conditions. To be sure, a major boost to economic growth can come from involving the mining industry as one of the tactics to strengthen the local economy. The aim of this study is to determine the degree to which environmental sustainability is taken into consideration during the planning and execution of mining operations, as well as the environmental repercussions that these activities produce in the context of economic development. The research methodology used in this study is qualitative normative juridical descriptive research. Literature reviews from books and journals are used in the data collection method. According to the study's findings, mining operations can harm nearby ecosystems by degrading the soil, contaminating water supplies, and emitting harmful air pollutants. Human health as well as the survival of the local flora and wildlife may be seriously impacted by mining waste and the pollution that results from it. Innovation and green technologies in the mining industry can assist lessen harmful effects on the environment. Keywords: Economics, Environment, Mining.

Quercetin alleviates PM2.5-induced chronic lung injury in mice by targeting ferroptosis.

PM2.5 is a well-known harmful air pollutant that can lead to acute exacerbation and aggravation of respiratory diseases. Although ferroptosis is involves in the pathological process of pulmonary disease, the potential mechanism of ferroptosis in PM2.5-caused lung inflammation and fibrosis need to be further clarified. Quercetin is a phenolic compound that can inhibit ferroptosis in various diseases. Hence, this study explores the role of ferroptosis in lung injury induced by PM2.5 in order to further elucidate the beneficial effect of quercetin and its underlying mechanism. C57BL/6J mice were treated with either saline or PM2.5 by intratracheal instillation 20 times (once every two days). Additionally, PM2.5-treated mice were supplemented with two doses of quercetin. Lung injury, lipid peroxidation, iron content and ferroptosis marker protein expression and the Nrf2 signaling pathway were evaluated. In vitro, cell experiments were applied to verify the mechanisms underlying the links between Nrf2 signaling pathway activation and ferroptosis as well as between ferroptosis and inflammation. In vivo, PM2.5 increased lung inflammation and caused lung fibrosis and increased lipid peroxidation contents, iron contents and ferroptosis markers in lung tissues; these effects were significantly reversed by quercetin. Additionally, quercetin upregulated the nuclear Nrf2 expression and downregulated Keap1 expression in lung tissues of PM2.5-exposed mice. Quercetin decreased lipid peroxidation products, iron contents and ferroptosis levels and increased the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and the degradation of Keap1 in PM2.5-exposed BEAS-2B cells. Moreover, we found that quercetin and dimethyl fumarate markedly decreased lipid peroxidation production and ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway in PM2.5-exposed cells. Furthermore, quercetin reduced inflammatory cytokines and TGF-β1 in PM2.5-exposed cells. Our data suggested that Nrf2 is involved in ferroptosis in PM2.5-induced lung injury, and quercetin can alleviate these adverse effects via activating Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway.

Lung function in children residents in the largest coal region in Brazil.

Coal mining activities release harmful air pollutants, which affect children's health, particularly the lung function. Brazil has a large coal reserve in the southern region, where a coal-fired power plant and two coal mines are located. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of altered respiratory function and associated factors in children living in this region. A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven cities. It collected socioeconomic and demographic, prenatal and postnatal care, neonatal outcomes, child health information as well as lung function and air quality. The study included 396 children who lived in a high socio-environmental vulnerability due to low education levels and family income, high percentage of unemployed and families with a high bedroom density. There was a high prevalence of preterm birth, low birth weight and long-term exposure to environmental conditions. The most common respiratory problem in the parents was rhinitis, while in the children was wheezing and pneumonia. The prevalence of respiratory function alteration in the region was 7.78%. Variables associated with altered respiratory function were passive smoking, low birth weight, history of wheezing. The concentration of pollutants was equivalent when comparing stations within the coal mining host town (Candiota) and surrounding towns.

Correlation of time trends of air pollutants, greenspaces and tracheal, bronchus and lung cancer incidence and mortality among the adults in United States.

Tracheal, Bronchus, and Lung (TBL) cancer continues to represent the majority of cancer-related incidence and mortality in United States (U.S.). While air pollutants are considered essential risk factors, both global and national average concentrations of major harmful air pollutants have significantly decreased over the decades. Green space may have a beneficial effect on human health. We obtained data on national and state-level burden of TBL cancer, the annual average concentration of main air pollutants, and levels of green spaces in 2007, 2013, and 2019. According to generalized estimating equation (GEE), we examine the associations among incidence and mortality of TBL cancer, air pollutants, and greenspaces, represented by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in different age groups with models adjusted with meteorological, and socio-demographic. We observed additional effects of the interaction between the NDVI, Ozone, PM2.5, and other factors, which helped us to interpret and understand our results. Also, we collated states that witnessed net increments in forest coverage and conducted the same analysis separately. In our analysis, the majority of associations between NDVI and air pollutants with TBL cancer remained significantly positive, particularly noticeable among individuals aged 20 to 54. However, our findings did not explore air pollution as a potential mediator between greenspace exposure and TBL cancer. While the associations of PM2.5 with TBL cancer remained positive, the other four pollutants showed positive but statistically insignificant associations. Our interaction analysis yielded that there were positive associations between NDVI and ozone, PM2.5, and tobacco use. Max NDVI acts as a protective factor along with high HDI. Additionally, PM2.5 and HDI also showed a negative association. In 18 states with more forest, NDVI acts as a protective factor along with higher health care coverage, better health status, and participation in physical activities. In the state-level of U.S., the effects of total greenspace with TBL cancer are mixed and could be modified by various socio-economic factors. PM2.5 has a direct correlation with TBL cancer and the effects can be influenced by underlying socioeconomic conditions.